Boehringer Ingelheim and CDR-Life advance treatment for Geographic Atrophy

GA is an advanced and severe form of late-stage, dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD),  a chronic and progressive retinal disease, that can lead to irreversible and permanent vision loss.¹  It is a leading cause of blindness, affecting more than five million people worldwide, of which more than 40% are considered blind.^1-3  Vision loss associated with GA  severely impacts  the independence, mental health and quality of life of those living with the condition.⁴  Current treatments have limited efficacy and  availability.

BI 771716, developed by Boehringer Ingelheim with technology licensed from CDR-Life, is a highly specific antibody fragment, possibly enabling an optimized penetration through all retinal layers to the most critical target site driving GA disease pathology. Based on its molecular properties, BI 771716 has the potential to achieve unprecedented efficacy.

“We are delighted to have achieved a critical milestone in our development of BI 771716, and are now preparing a Phase II clinical study to investigate efficacy and dosing,” said Heiko Niessen, Ph.D., Global Therapeutic Area Head Translational Medicine & Clinical Pharmacology Retinal Health at Boehringer Ingelheim. “BI 771716 is part of our comprehensive retinal portfolio demonstrating our long-term commitment to preserving both eyesight and quality of life in people with retinal diseases.”

"Reaching this safety milestone is a significant step forward for this compound, highlighting the strength of our partnership with Boehringer Ingelheim," said Christian Leisner, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer at CDR-Life. "Having successfully met all four planned milestones so far, we're optimistic about the continued development of this innovative antibody fragment-based therapy and its potential to provide clinical benefit in geographic atrophy."

“The development of new therapies for geographic atrophy remains one of the most important needs in the age related macular degeneration space,” said Charles C. Wykoff, MD, Ph.D., Principal Investigator of the Phase I trial, Director of Research at Retina Consultants of Texas; Chair of Research, Retina Consultants of America; and Deputy Chair of Ophthalmology for the Blanton Eye Institute, Houston Methodist Hospital. “Achieving the Phase I safety endpoint is a meaningful step forward for this potential new treatment for people with this sight-threatening and life-affecting condition.”

CDR-Life and Boehringer Ingelheim announced their collaboration and licensing agreement in May 2020, followed by the selection of an antibody fragment-based therapeutic candidate in September 2021. The companies have executed on all milestones to date.

References

1. Rahimy E, et al. Progression of Geographic Atrophy: Retrospective Analysis of Patients from the IRIS® Registry (Intelligent Research in Sight). Ophthalmol Sci. 2023 Apr 19;3(4):100318.
2. Wong WL, et al. Global prevalence of age-related macular degeneration and disease burden projection for 2020 and 2040: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Lancet Glob Health 2014;2:e106–116.
3. Colijn JM et al. Enlargement of Geographic Atrophy From First Diagnosis to End of Life. JAMA Ophthalmol. 2021;139(7):743-750
4. Sacconi R, et al. A Review of Current and Future Management of Geographic Atrophy. Ophthalmol Ther 2017;6:69-77.
5. Rudnicka AR, et al. Age and gender variations in age-related macular degeneration prevalence in populations of European ancestry: a meta-analysis. Ophthalmology. 2012 Mar;119(3):571-80